Dataset Information

Extreme rainfall events alter the trophic structure in bromeliad tanks across the Neotropics.

ABSTRACT: Changes in global and regional precipitation regimes are among the most pervasive components of climate change. Intensification of rainfall cycles, ranging from frequent downpours to severe droughts, could cause widespread, but largely unknown, alterations to trophic structure and ecosystem function. We conducted multi-site coordinated experiments to show how variation in the quantity and evenness of rainfall modulates trophic structure in 210 natural freshwater microcosms (tank bromeliads) across Central and South America (18°N to 29°S). The biomass of smaller organisms (detritivores) was higher under more stable hydrological conditions. Conversely, the biomass of predators was highest when rainfall was uneven, resulting in top-heavy biomass pyramids. These results illustrate how extremes of precipitation, resulting in localized droughts or flooding, can erode the base of freshwater food webs, with negative implications for the stability of trophic dynamics.

SUBMITTER: Romero GQ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7316839 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Extreme rainfall events alter the trophic structure in bromeliad tanks across the Neotropics.

Romero Gustavo Q GQ Marino Nicholas A C NAC MacDonald A Andrew M AAM Céréghino Régis R Trzcinski M Kurtis MK Mercado Dimaris Acosta DA Leroy Céline C Corbara Bruno B Farjalla Vinicius F VF Barberis Ignacio M IM Dézerald Olivier O Hammill Edd E Atwood Trisha B TB Piccoli Gustavo C O GCO Bautista Fabiola Ospina FO Carrias Jean-François JF Leal Juliana S JS Montero Guillermo G Antiqueira Pablo A P PAP Freire Rodrigo R Realpe Emilio E Amundrud Sarah L SL de Omena Paula M PM Campos Alice B A ABA Kratina Pavel P O'Gorman Eoin J EJ Srivastava Diane S DS

Nature communications 20200625 1

Changes in global and regional precipitation regimes are among the most pervasive components of climate change. Intensification of rainfall cycles, ranging from frequent downpours to severe droughts, could cause widespread, but largely unknown, alterations to trophic structure and ecosystem function. We conducted multi-site coordinated experiments to show how variation in the quantity and evenness of rainfall modulates trophic structure in 210 natural freshwater microcosms (tank bromeliads) acro ...[more]

PMID: 32587246

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Project description:BackgroundThe southeastern United States consistently has high salmonellosis incidence, but disease drivers remain unknown. Salmonella is regularly detected in this region's natural environment, leading to numerous exposure opportunities. Rainfall patterns may impact the survival/transport of environmental Salmonella in ways that can affect disease transmission.ObjectivesThis study investigated associations between short-term precipitation (extreme rainfall events) and longer-term precipitation (rainfall conditions antecedent to these extreme events) on salmonellosis counts in the state of Georgia in the United States.MethodsFor the period 1997-2016, negative binomial models estimated associations between weekly county-level extreme rainfall events (≥90th percentile of daily rainfall) and antecedent conditions (8-week precipitation sums, categorized into tertiles) and weekly county-level salmonellosis counts.ResultsIn Georgia's Coastal Plain counties, extreme and antecedent rainfall were associated with significant differences in salmonellosis counts. In these counties, extreme rainfall was associated with a 5% increase in salmonellosis risk (95% CI: 1%, 10%) compared with weeks with no extreme rainfall. Antecedent dry periods were associated with a 9% risk decrease (95% CI: 5%, 12%), whereas wet periods were associated with a 5% increase (95% CI: 1%, 9%), compared with periods of moderate rainfall. In models considering the interaction between extreme and antecedent rainfall conditions, wet periods were associated with a 13% risk increase (95% CI: 6%, 19%), whereas wet periods followed by extreme events were associated with an 11% increase (95% CI: 5%, 18%). Associations were substantially magnified when analyses were restricted to cases attributed to serovars commonly isolated from wildlife/environment (e.g., Javiana). For example, wet periods followed by extreme rainfall were associated with a 34% risk increase (95% CI: 20%, 49%) in environmental serovar infection.ConclusionsGiven the associations of short-term extreme rainfall events and longer-term rainfall conditions on salmonellosis incidence, our findings suggest that avoiding contact with environmental reservoirs of Salmonella following heavy rainfall events, especially during the rainy season, may reduce the risk of salmonellosis. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP4621.

Dataset Information

Extreme rainfall events alter the trophic structure in bromeliad tanks across the Neotropics.

Publications

Extreme rainfall events alter the trophic structure in bromeliad tanks across the Neotropics.

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